Key offers to host next Chogm meeting

New Zealand has put in a tentative offer to host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2015 after the expected host, Mauritius, was ruled out following its boycott of this year's summit in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister John Key said he would be happy to host the meeting, although it was possible Malta would take over instead.

He said Malta was keen to do it, but New Zealand would be happy to if could not."I think they were all keen and we are a logical country to do it."

However, one issue was that Vanuatu was due to host it in 2019, which New Zealand would be expected to help with, and that would mean the same region hosting it for two summits in a row.

Mauritius was due to host it and take over chairing duties, but it did not attend this year's summit in protest at the Sri Lanka hosts record on human rights. Mr Key said he did not believe it was linked to the decision not to attend the summit.

Mr Key and the fellow leaders of the 53 Commonwealth nations will spend the day in the leaders' retreat yesterday where the issue was to be hammered out.